One of District 2’s most dominant defenders is now off the board. After a whirlwind recruitment filled with national attention and major program pushes, Riverside standout Tavian Branch has planted his flag in the SEC. The Vikings senior has committed to Auburn, where the Tigers see him as a future force on their defensive front.
Two teams. Two communities. One early-season matchup that already feels bigger than December basketball. Riverside and Wilkes-Barre Area, both ranked inside the top five of the District 2 preseason Coaches Poll, have come out of the gate sharp and confident.
The Lady Rangers exploded out of the gate, scoring the first 10 points of the game and sending the home crowd into a frenzy. Fans rose to their feet as the scoreboard flashed a stunning 10–0 Northwest lead, while Wyoming Sem stood visibly stunned.
Southern Lehigh’s Sean Steckert isn’t just putting up numbers, he’s rewriting what it means to be a three-sport powerhouse in the Lehigh Valley. The senior star has bulldozed his way past 2,900 total yards, captained on the wrestling mat, sprinted his way to states on the track, and still finds time to serve communities from Pennsylvania to Jamaica. With a 3.9 GPA, a humble heart, and a motor that doesn’t quit, Steckert has become the pulse of the Spartans’ historic rise. Now, with the school’s first-ever State Championship game on deck, one of the Valley’s toughest athletes is writing a legacy in real time and everyone is watching.
A tie game at halftime turned into a statement finish. Southern Columbia used a smothering defense, a burst of back-to-back momentum swings, and a clock-draining ground attack to power past Lansdale Catholic, 24–7, and punch its ticket to a remarkable 23rd PIAA championship appearance.